Many people believe that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space. While it’s a popular myth, the truth is quite different. In reality, the Great Wall of China cannot be seen with the naked eye from space, especially not from the Moon.
The origin of this myth dates back centuries, even before humans had the technology to leave Earth. While the Wall is long—over 13,000 miles—it is relatively narrow and built using materials that blend in with the natural landscape, making it difficult to distinguish from orbit.
Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei confirmed this after his journey into space, stating that he could not see the Wall from his spacecraft. NASA has also debunked this myth, explaining that although certain man-made structures like city lights and large airports can sometimes be seen from low Earth orbit, the Great Wall of China is not easily visible without aid.
From a low Earth orbit, some astronauts have managed to photograph parts of the Wall using high-powered cameras and under specific lighting conditions, such as when the Sun is at just the right angle. But with the naked eye alone, it’s practically invisible.
So, while the Great Wall of China remains one of the greatest architectural feats in human history, it doesn’t quite live up to the legend of being clearly visible from space. The myth makes a great story, but science tells a different tale.
Source : scientificamerican.com
